Alan Jones to attend accuracy school, comments to be fact-checked before going to air by 2GB producers

The comments of under-fire 2GB shock-jock Alan Jones are to be fact-checked by his radio station’s producers before going to air, after a new ruling by industry watchdog, the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Jones is also to attend training sessions to ensure what he says on air is factually accurate and that he understands the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice.

The fact-checking and training mandates were suggestions made by 2GB – which ACMA has accepted.

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The ruling comes after ACMA found that the 2GB presenter breached its code on accuracy in March last year, when Jones made a series of comments about climate change.

In the March broadcast, Jones said: “Human beings produce 0.001% of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere”. ACMA’s beef was that Jones’ view was presented as a statement rather than opinion.

Pre-broadcast fact-checking by the program’s executive producer of any material provided by non-media sources or third parties which may require additional confirmation and attribution.

Creation and retention (for at least six weeks) of records of the verification material sourced by the executive producer for the facts contained in the editorial piece.

Identification by the executive producer of controversial issues of public importance that are not covered by other 2GB current affairs programs.

Communication of these exceptions to 2GB’s program director who will then be responsible to ensure that another current affairs program presents an alternative, significant viewpoint to that presented in the program hosted by Alan Jones so that 2GB can discharge its obligations under the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice.

Creation and retention of records by the program director for the above steps.

New measures applying to all news and current affairs programs:

The program director will conduct random checks of daily broadcasts for each of the programs and will record the details of the controversial issues of public importance canvassed in the program. The program director will also record the reasonable efforts made/opportunities that have been given by the relevant programs to present significant alternative viewpoints.

Training will be conducted (including with Alan Jones) focussing on the ACMA’s findings concerning factual accuracy and significant viewpoints.

So, Mr. Alan Jones is accused by ACMA of making statements when they should be clearly expressed as opinions. As Mr. Aristotle, late of Greece, once pointed out, “all is but an opinion”. And quite right. Another attempt to stifle free speech. And, further, I wonder if there will be certain and particular politicians made to take the same training as Mr. Jones. So much of what politicians say is neither statement or opinion but out-and-out fabrication.

If Channel Ten could turn his ‘re-education’ classes into a reality show they’d have their highest ratings ever. Seriously – who wouldn’t watch it? It would be a huge opportunity for both Ch10 and 2GB.

Sorry Brian, but Alan Jones was not expressing an opinion – he was delivering ‘facts’. ‘Facts’ that misinform people and skew political and social debate. “Facts’ that are quite dangerous in the broader scheme of things.

Broadcasting is a responsibility, and getting your facts right is just one of your obligations.

Look, its OK for you sceptics and doubting Thomases. I say let’s give the training wheels and plastic pants a try at least. If he shows improvement we may be able to take the cork off his fork and, with the aide of a couple of cushions, let him sit at the big table at least for morning tea. Nobody is beyond redemption you know……..well, hardly anybody.

Its nice to know that someone is looking after the morality of the media, and protecting the vulnerable public.

NB. VuLnerable has an “l” in it, an “l” that is under attack in the careless world of pronunciation (fact checked by my producer to show that we are up with the Joneses)

This is total bullshit – he made a simple mistake and he corrected it. Time and time again.
Just like the “Alan Jones comments caused the Cronulla Riots, the facts don’t agree with what the Alan Jones haters claim.
Yes, I listen to Alan Jones and I don’t agree with him all the time – but at least those involved in the media should tell the truth, not jump on the bandwaggon.

The moment someone from the Right wing has to face consequences for their comments and actions, the disciples scream ‘Its a conspiracy!’ or ‘But the other mob dunnit too!’ or ‘Free speech!’. Paranoia with a generous serve of ad hominem statements are no way to gain credibility for your view.

Alan Jones still has the right to say whatever he wants to. But this shows he’s not above facing the consequences that any of his peers are subject to should they mislead their listeners or fall below basic standards of broadcasting.

But aside from that, I’ll assume you have enough education to know your global history, and the phrase “re-education camps”. No? Haven’t heard of those?
The Soviet Union and China were experts at that; ditto Kampuchea (Cambodia) under the Khmer Rouge.
They would send a dissenter off for “re-education” when officials became angered by anyone who spoke what they deemed to be “untruths”.
Whatever one’s opinion of Jones or what he says, that’s exactly what is happening here – the stifling of dissent.
God forbid anyone would dare to disagree with prescribed leftist orthodoxies!

We are indeed living in an ugly, retrograde time in Australia, when in the same week we (i) stifle dissent, and (ii) see our national dictionary cower and comply with the ALP’s ‘new’ ‘official’ definition of misogynist.
Australia: a country in need of somebody with a backbone.